"For the second time in four years, the Boston Red Sox are World Series champions and the indisputable rulers of the baseball universe as we know it. They are the Roman Empire of the postseason, having won eight World Series games in a row. Hail, Tito.

I think my favourite moment all game was Ellsbury's laconic signal to Pap when he caught that fly ball to left that had everyone get just a wee bit nervous at the close, like he'd been casually hauling them in for a decade.

Well, that or Big P having a laugh at Daisuke's expense, which was hilariously funny.

Joe Castiglione talked to Curt Schilling on the mound after the game last night, one of those quick interviews, and Curt said, "No question this is the best team in baseball," and Joe said, "And I'm sure you'd love to stay a part of it, right?"

I'm here now - way too much beer yesterday, way too little food. And way too much champagne in such a short period of time. But I finally did make the grilled cheese, and just finished eating it. Amazingly delicious.

one of the better columns today by Jeff Jacobs of the Hartford Courant.

Excerpts:On the front office-The news of this one needs to be rung through the heads of every Yankees boss, every Yankees player and every Yankees fan.

This is how you win in 2007. This is how to use your big bucks. This is how to nurture youth. This is how to build an engine. And, yes, this is how you give the keys to the right manager to drive that expensive, bright red Cadillac.

About Yerry -Start to finish this year, Francona managed like he was the chalk and nobody was going to come along to erase what was in his mind. He had a plan. And although some outsiders may have second-guessed it from time to time and others may have said the plan was given to him by his bosses, nobody could argue that he didn't stick with it. Tito managed like a man confident with a lead. He liked his horse and told the rest of baseball to come catch him.

Nobody did.

About MBM - Didn't believe I'd ever write this: The money spent on Manny was worth it. Wouldn't trust him to lead a pack of wolves to McDonald's, but his dedication to hitting, his savant-like attention to the art, will lead him to Cooperstown.

Allan and Laura, I have a copy of the Globe and one of the Times. If you want me to mail them to me, email me your address (you should still have my email address). Also, let me know how much of the paper you want: front page? special section? whole thing?

Amy - at least you got one paper. Made numerous stops on the road today and I kept on seeing the first print (Sox pushing for sweep). The price of being in central CT and a game ending after midnight. Grrr

If general manager Theo Epstein has his way, the Boston baseball machine won't stop at two World Series championships since 2004. The 2007 team's mix of young, homegrown talent and veterans who can handle the pressures of playing in Boston will be the new model for Red Sox teams to come."